PROBATIONARY PERIOD
All new hires are subject to a probationary period of 12 months from the date of hire. Your status as a “Recruit Firefighter” continues until the successful completion of all the essential fire ground training and certification to NFPA 1001, Firefighter 1 which typically occurs within 12 months of hire. During this period you will be subject to restricted duties as outlined in the Operational Guidelines to allow you to gain the necessary training and experience under controlled circumstances during emergency response.
EQUIPMENT
Once hired firefighters are supplied with the following:
- Pager & charging unit
- Personal protective equipment – bunker coat, bunker pants, helmet, safety glasses, hood, bunker boots, structural firefighting gloves and coveralls.
Note: The firefighter is responsible for the equipment supplied by Kirkland Lake Fire Department and is required to report any loss or damage to their direct report immediately.
The personal protective gear is supplied for protection and must be worn at all incidents and training unless instructed differently by an officer.
The firefighter is expected to respond to the incidents when paged.
All equipment supplied by Kirkland Lake Fire Department remains property of Kirkland Lake Fire Department and is to be used for authorized activities only in the performance of fire department duties. All items issued are to be returned when the member ceases employment with the Kirkland Lake Fire Department.
TRAINING
The training of a firefighter is an ongoing task and must be constantly updated and adapted to meet new challenges. The Kirkland Lake Fire Department has adopted the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) training curriculum as administered through the Ontario Fire College as well as in house training. The curriculum acknowledges a firefighter’s commitment to ongoing training and lifelong learning and it provides a concrete training path to follow and will support the credibility of firefighters in the completion of their regular and special activities.
As a Kirkland Lake firefighter you will be required to complete 100% of the recruit level training and maintain a minimum attendance of 70% of all scheduled training. Evening training sessions are normally scheduled on Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings 1900 to 2100 hours. Periodically it is necessary to schedule weekend training sessions. These sessions are scheduled with as much advance notice as possible and it is expected that every effort will be made to attend these sessions as they typically involve practical training in specialized areas and are not frequently repeated.
HEALTH & SAFETY
As a firefighter you have a responsibility to work in a safe manner, use protective equipment provided and only perform tasks within the scope of your ability and training provided, according to Operational Guidelines and departmental policy.
As supervisors your Platoon Chiefs also share the responsibility of providing for your health and safety in the station and at emergency incidents. They are available as a resource to answer questions or clarify policies and procedures.
We have procedures and guidelines for PTSD, as well as Member and Family Program Assistant programs.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Firefighters are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All volunteer firefighters are required to respond when available for a MINIMUM of 30% of all paged emergency responses.
As firefighter you are expected to use common sense and safe driving practices to get to the emergency incidents. You are not afforded any special rights under the Highway Traffic Act while driving your own vehicle. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident while responding to a call, you are driving on your own license and vehicle insurance. If you are at fault you may be charged.
WHAT IS REQUIRED
- Complete application
- Interview
- Physical agility test
- Drivers abstract
- Vulnerable sector check
- A letter from your health care provider is required to say you are fit and able to do this job